Well, we're back to school and work, after a week of sunshine, balmy (80 degree!) weather, and Bragg family visitors. Most recently we had Laurie, Mark, and their dog Mingo over, but John and Jim also visited, right before them.
John took a couple of weeks off from his studies in Turkey to visit family and friends in the US. He and Jim will return to Turkey in about a week; Jim will visit and sight-see awhile before heading back to Madison. John will complete his research in Turkey in two month's time; after that he will be able to finish his doctoral work in Madison. But we were very glad he took the time to see us. Uncle JoJo is always a lot of fun...
We thought it was going to rain the whole time Laurie and Mark visited, but instead we had (mostly) sunshine and record-breaking warm weather. Mark and Jon took Mingo pheasant hunting on Sunday, and Mingo did great... they brought home six birds, and Mark cooked them up for us in a crock pot the next night. The guys also managed to do some fishing on Monday. We all went on a nice walk together by the river, and I took Laurie shopping and out to lunch while the kids were in school Monday. Quality girl time!
This was also a nice vacation for Jon. He had a well-deserved four days off from work, and the rest was much appreciated! Also Michael and Emma had a great time re-connecting with him; he's been gone a lot! They had some good heart-to-heart conversations and did some fun things together.
About a week ago he had a physical for work, and one of the tests indicated he might have some serious health problems. But he had the follow-up test on Friday, and we were relieved to hear there was nothing wrong... he was just worn down and needed rest.
Well, I better get back to work, myself...
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Happy Spring!
Happy Spring! We're on day 2 of the kids' week-long break from school. Jon's back to work now, but did manage to finally have a weekend off. He had lots of paper-reading and basketball games (March Madness) to watch, but we did some fun things, too, including a 5 mile roller blade ride together (Jon skated and the kids and I biked). It's good to be outdoors and see the snow disappear, though of course it's muddy and the doggy-print trail on our carpet is fast becoming a doggy-print super highway.
A week ago we picked Bill up in Minneapolis and brought him to Eau Claire for a few days. He had his spring break last week, and spent it visiting with us until Mom and Dad picked him up Thursday and brought him to Rhinelander. Tuesday night we took him to a Hmong restaurant where he "dared" the waitress to have her mother cook the dish spicy. I thought for sure he was in trouble, but he was up to the challenge. Then he accompanied us to Skate America, where Longfellow School was having a fundraiser / family night. Apparently Bill hasn't skated much, but he did alright-- better than me. I'm pretty sure I haven't roller-skated since I was a gradeschooler in the 1970's, but I gave it a try... I fell a few times and looked like a doofus, but my image is such that I don't think it was adversely effected in any way... actually, after awhile I was able to let go of the railing and enjoy myself a little. I stopped skating, though, after I witnessed a really bad accident. A woman's plastic hair clip shattered when her head hit the floor, after her oafish husband (who'd been showing off, skating backwards) fell down onto her. Plus they had us all "reverse" and start skating the opposite direction... crazy.
The next day I had work and the kids had school, so Bill had us drop him off at an internet cafe, so he could work on a paper. He could have used our computer at home, but as we have a mere dial-up connection and he is spoiled up by his wireless laptop, that would not do (kidding, Bill; Susan wouldn't stand for it, either!).
We thought we'd end up taking Bill back to Minneapolis after his visit in Rhinelander, but he was able to catch a ride home with a couple of friends.
Brother Bob came over on Saturday for a visit. We felt really bad that he ended up getting a $35 parking ticket for parking on the wrong side of the road... we have odd/even parking in the "winter", though right now there's no snow on the street and the need to keep one side clear for plowing is purely hypothetical.
Sunday Emma and I picked out new bicycles for ourselves. I haven't had a bike since last year, when four of our bikes were stolen (in three separate incidents). The first bike (Michael's) was taken from the school bike rack, but that was kind of our fault because we forgot it there overnight and it wasn't locked. The second incident was another of Michael's bikes (a $10 thrift sale bike), this time taken when he left his bike outside overnight on the sidewalk in front of our house. That incident was frustrating because we had asked Michael to bring his bike in the night before, but he didn't see where he left it so just brought his sister's bike up to the house instead, and didn't tell us that his bike was unaccounted for.
The worst theft was the third incident, when me and Jon's bikes were stolen. Those were expensive bikes (purchased ten years ago, but still!). They were taken right from our house, where we had them under the eaves by our door. We filed a police report on those, but they never turned up.
Jon is waiting to get his new bike, because he wants a nice one. I picked out a basic, good quality bike for myself, nothing fancy. I plan to use it for my commute to work, and figure it will pay for itself in gas saved. I even bought my first ever bike helmet. (I had my first serious bicycle accident last year, injuring my arm enough to require a month or so of physical therapy).
We had already gotten Michael a replacement bike last year, still in good shape. Emma needed a larger bike, so we got her a new one this year. Also, we bought a bike lock and are using it now, so hopefully these bikes will last us for a few years!
Notice that in the photo I've attached, showing Emma's new bike, she's missing one of her two front teeth! That just happened a couple of days ago.
Well, we look forward to seeing Laurie and Mark this coming weekend. And Easter's coming up fast, so we'll see more of you then, when we visit Rhinelander!
A week ago we picked Bill up in Minneapolis and brought him to Eau Claire for a few days. He had his spring break last week, and spent it visiting with us until Mom and Dad picked him up Thursday and brought him to Rhinelander. Tuesday night we took him to a Hmong restaurant where he "dared" the waitress to have her mother cook the dish spicy. I thought for sure he was in trouble, but he was up to the challenge. Then he accompanied us to Skate America, where Longfellow School was having a fundraiser / family night. Apparently Bill hasn't skated much, but he did alright-- better than me. I'm pretty sure I haven't roller-skated since I was a gradeschooler in the 1970's, but I gave it a try... I fell a few times and looked like a doofus, but my image is such that I don't think it was adversely effected in any way... actually, after awhile I was able to let go of the railing and enjoy myself a little. I stopped skating, though, after I witnessed a really bad accident. A woman's plastic hair clip shattered when her head hit the floor, after her oafish husband (who'd been showing off, skating backwards) fell down onto her. Plus they had us all "reverse" and start skating the opposite direction... crazy.
The next day I had work and the kids had school, so Bill had us drop him off at an internet cafe, so he could work on a paper. He could have used our computer at home, but as we have a mere dial-up connection and he is spoiled up by his wireless laptop, that would not do (kidding, Bill; Susan wouldn't stand for it, either!).
We thought we'd end up taking Bill back to Minneapolis after his visit in Rhinelander, but he was able to catch a ride home with a couple of friends.
Brother Bob came over on Saturday for a visit. We felt really bad that he ended up getting a $35 parking ticket for parking on the wrong side of the road... we have odd/even parking in the "winter", though right now there's no snow on the street and the need to keep one side clear for plowing is purely hypothetical.
Sunday Emma and I picked out new bicycles for ourselves. I haven't had a bike since last year, when four of our bikes were stolen (in three separate incidents). The first bike (Michael's) was taken from the school bike rack, but that was kind of our fault because we forgot it there overnight and it wasn't locked. The second incident was another of Michael's bikes (a $10 thrift sale bike), this time taken when he left his bike outside overnight on the sidewalk in front of our house. That incident was frustrating because we had asked Michael to bring his bike in the night before, but he didn't see where he left it so just brought his sister's bike up to the house instead, and didn't tell us that his bike was unaccounted for.
The worst theft was the third incident, when me and Jon's bikes were stolen. Those were expensive bikes (purchased ten years ago, but still!). They were taken right from our house, where we had them under the eaves by our door. We filed a police report on those, but they never turned up.
Jon is waiting to get his new bike, because he wants a nice one. I picked out a basic, good quality bike for myself, nothing fancy. I plan to use it for my commute to work, and figure it will pay for itself in gas saved. I even bought my first ever bike helmet. (I had my first serious bicycle accident last year, injuring my arm enough to require a month or so of physical therapy).
We had already gotten Michael a replacement bike last year, still in good shape. Emma needed a larger bike, so we got her a new one this year. Also, we bought a bike lock and are using it now, so hopefully these bikes will last us for a few years!
Notice that in the photo I've attached, showing Emma's new bike, she's missing one of her two front teeth! That just happened a couple of days ago.
Well, we look forward to seeing Laurie and Mark this coming weekend. And Easter's coming up fast, so we'll see more of you then, when we visit Rhinelander!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Michael Survives Winter Camp! And Happy Birthday, Susan!
Well, Michael survived his two nights away from home, and winter camp seems to have been a positive experience for him. He came back Sunday, while we were having lunch with Mom and Dad (they visited us on Mom's birthday). He had a few stories to tell, including a vivid description of the disgusting moldy showers he (almost) had to use. But he had a big smile on his face and was happy to be home. He and Emma had a joyful reunion, and spent a lot of time playing with stuffed animals after his return.
I knew she was going to miss him a lot, so her and I did some fun things together on Saturday. We had a "girl's day out" that included chocolate, clothes shopping, and a movie. She is really at a fun age right now, definitely developing her own personality and sense of (over-the-top) style. But not so old that she can't be silly and spontaneous and lovey-dovey with her old mom.
I can't remember if I mentioned it in a previous blog, but I'm going to be Michael's new den leader for Boy Scouts. The dad who was his previous den leader is now going to be the new cubmaster, so they needed someone. I haven't had any training or led any meetings yet, but feel semi-optimistic because of my experience working with Emma's Daisy Girl Scout group. We'll have to see how it goes...
We had an award ceremony for Emma's group this past Tuesday. The girls received their first badges and we had a potluck dinner with their families. It seemed to go well.
Jon was home last night, but has been staying overnight in Minong a lot lately. They've been working seven days a week for about two months now, and those are typically twelve hour days. Minong is an hour and a half away, so it's hard for him to commute back and forth to Eau Claire. I can't believe he does it as often as he does. Him and another guy are actually going to be renting a place together, on a month to month basis, so they don't have to keep shuffling around to different motels. We miss Jon around the house but appreciate the effort he's making for us. This should be his last weekend of working for awhile, so soon he'll be able to come home and rest on weekends. He's getting pretty fatigued and burned out.
Brother Bob called this weekend. We hadn't talked in awhile, so it was a nice surprise. He had a few stories to tell about his recent snow-shoveling ordeal. Madison and Eau Claire both got hit with a lot of wet, heavy snow last week, but he (and his equipment) survived it.
Brother Bill will be visiting us next week, during his spring break vacation. I'll pick him up Monday in Minneapolis and then he'll stay until Thursday, when Mom and Dad come pick him up for a visit in Rhinelander.
I can't believe I almost neglected to say: Happy Birthday, Susan Hurlburt! Jon's oldest daughter is nineteen today. She is a pre-med student taking 20 credits this semester, works part-time, and does volunteer work.
I knew she was going to miss him a lot, so her and I did some fun things together on Saturday. We had a "girl's day out" that included chocolate, clothes shopping, and a movie. She is really at a fun age right now, definitely developing her own personality and sense of (over-the-top) style. But not so old that she can't be silly and spontaneous and lovey-dovey with her old mom.
I can't remember if I mentioned it in a previous blog, but I'm going to be Michael's new den leader for Boy Scouts. The dad who was his previous den leader is now going to be the new cubmaster, so they needed someone. I haven't had any training or led any meetings yet, but feel semi-optimistic because of my experience working with Emma's Daisy Girl Scout group. We'll have to see how it goes...
We had an award ceremony for Emma's group this past Tuesday. The girls received their first badges and we had a potluck dinner with their families. It seemed to go well.
Jon was home last night, but has been staying overnight in Minong a lot lately. They've been working seven days a week for about two months now, and those are typically twelve hour days. Minong is an hour and a half away, so it's hard for him to commute back and forth to Eau Claire. I can't believe he does it as often as he does. Him and another guy are actually going to be renting a place together, on a month to month basis, so they don't have to keep shuffling around to different motels. We miss Jon around the house but appreciate the effort he's making for us. This should be his last weekend of working for awhile, so soon he'll be able to come home and rest on weekends. He's getting pretty fatigued and burned out.
Brother Bob called this weekend. We hadn't talked in awhile, so it was a nice surprise. He had a few stories to tell about his recent snow-shoveling ordeal. Madison and Eau Claire both got hit with a lot of wet, heavy snow last week, but he (and his equipment) survived it.
Brother Bill will be visiting us next week, during his spring break vacation. I'll pick him up Monday in Minneapolis and then he'll stay until Thursday, when Mom and Dad come pick him up for a visit in Rhinelander.
I can't believe I almost neglected to say: Happy Birthday, Susan Hurlburt! Jon's oldest daughter is nineteen today. She is a pre-med student taking 20 credits this semester, works part-time, and does volunteer work.
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